Does the Digital Divide Still Exist for People who are Blind and Have Low Vision? Yes, I beleve it does!

Does the Digital Divide Still Exist for People who are Blind and Have Low Vision? Yes, I beleve it does!

Does the digital divide still exist for people who are blind or have low vision? Unfortunately, it does. For many years, I’ve been concerned about those who rely on the popular JAWS for Windows screen reader. While there are free alternatives, JAWS is favoured for its extensive range of keystrokes and its accuracy in reading commonly used applications like web browsers, spreadsheets, and Microsoft Word documents.

JAWS for Windows also comes with a program called ZoomText. When combined, they are known as JAWS Fusion or ZoomText Fusion. In Australia, this can cost between $3,000 and $4,000. For individuals who have experienced long-term unemployment, this is not a feasible option, as few people have $4,000 readily available. Furthermore, the funding models for JAWS and ZoomText Fusion have shifted to a subscription basis. This subscription provides access to a software maintenance agreement (SMA). However, if the subscription lapses, you need to purchase a new license, which is costly.

Additionally, the NDIS introduced payment periods in modern plans from the middle of May 2025. Some people are worried that these payment periods may not be sufficient to cover the cost of renewing the SMA or subscription. For instance, if someone purchased a braille display with their one-year access technology payment over a two- or three-year plan, they might not have enough funds left to update their JAWS or ZoomText Fusion software. This is a significant concern.

Moreover, while Apple products offer built-in access technology, they are expensive and not funded by the NDIS. This further highlights the ongoing digital divide for people who are blind or have low vision.

#Vision #LowVision #DATAAustralasia #EliseLonsdale #JAWS #JawsForWindows #Apple #VoiceOver #SMA